The Best Workwear for Tradies in 2026

Tradies work in tough, unpredictable conditions, and the right gear keeps them safe, warm, dry, and protected from injury. High-performance fabrics, proper weatherproofing, and durable construction keep your team working comfortably, efficiently, and without interruption.

Investing in durable workwear also saves money long-term. Cheap gear tears, wears out fast, and needs constant replacing, while premium fabrics stand up to daily punishment. 

A well-uniformed crew also strengthens your brand presence on site, signalling professionalism, reliability, and a company that takes pride in its standards. Also, your staff will be pretty stoked about wearing gear to work that they’d also wear on the weekend.

Check out Bushbuck's range of quality workwear here

Tradies need gear that works as hard as they do. The best approach is to think in systems – base layers, mid-layers, outer layers, pants, shorts, and specialised gear, each with its own purpose.

Below we dive into the most important features, materials, and clothing categories.

Key Features You Should Prioritise

1. Durability

Tough work requires tough gear. Clothing gets put through its paces on a worksite – dirt, scuffs, sparks, and snags. So it needs to be up to the task. Durability matters not only for longevity, but also for safety. When a jacket or pair of pants withstands abrasion, snagging, or friction, your workers stay protected. This is non-negotiable. 

Durability is determined by:

• Fabric weight and weave

• Reinforced sections on knees, elbows, shoulders, and high-wear zones

• Double or triple stitching

• Quality of zips and hardware (YKK zips remain the industry standard)

• Abrasion-resistance

2. Freedom of Movement

Tradies spend the day bending, lifting, squatting, hammering, crawling, climbing scaffolds, operating machinery, and carrying gear. It’s important that their clothing doesn’t restrict them or slow them down.

Look for:

• Articulated knees and elbows

• 4-way stretch fabrics

• Gusseted crotch for mobility

• Flexible softshell materials

• Cut patterns designed for active use (this is why outdoor brands make for good workwear)

3. Weatherproofing and Temperature Regulation

A tradie’s work doesn’t stop when the weather turns. Quality gear needs to support them year-round, in all weather.

Waterproof

A proper waterproof rating for workwear starts at 10,000mm, which is the standard for storm-ready gear. Fully seam-sealed construction and storm flaps add extra protection. Check out our full guide to waterproof ratings here

Windproof

If your staff are working outdoors in windy conditions, windproof protection is a must, especially in winter. Look for jackets with a windproof membrane. Most high-performance outer layers should offer some form of wind resistance.

Breathability

Sweating into non-breathable gear = chills in winter and overheating in summer. Look for features such as:

• Mesh vents

• Breathable membranes

• Moisture-wicking fabrics

• Natural fibre blends like merino

Warmth

Warmth is built with layers. If your staff are working outdoors in freezing conditions, you’ll need to have more layers for them to stay safe and comfortable on the job. This is a basic layering system:

1. Base layer (merino or synthetic alternative)

2. Mid-layer (fleece, jersey, or softshell)

3. Outer layer (weatherproof jacket, heavy-duty fleece, or down puffer)

This gives workers modular control in any season.

4. Fabric Technology and Material Choice

Fabrics make all the difference when choosing the best workwear for your team. This is another reason why it’s a good idea to source your workwear from an outdoor clothing company, as the gear is made with high-performance fabrics engineered for the wild.

These are some of the fabrics we recommend for workwear:

Merino Wool (and Merino Blends)

Merino is a great option for base layers as it’s unrivalled for:

• Thermal regulation

• Breathability

• Odour control

• Moisture wicking

Four-Way Stretch 

This is a flexible fabric commonly used in jackets and pants which is great for:

• Stretch and movement

• Breathability

• Water and wind resistance

• Lightweight performance

Heavy-Duty Nylon and Canvas

This is the tough stuff. Durable nylon and canvas are recommended for outer layers such as rain jackets, pants, and puffers. It can be overkill in some situations, but it’s a great option if your gear takes a hammering. 

• Maximum durability

• Abrasion resistance

• Wet weather outer layers

• High-wear areas

Down (Responsible Down Standard)

Down puffers aren’t just lifestyle jackets anymore. Bushbuck’s Polar X, Furnace LT, and Igloo puffers are engineered for tradies:

• Warm

• Tough

• Rip-resistant

• And some are fully waterproof

5. Hi-Vis and Safety Options

Even if your crew is wearing premium technical layers underneath, hi-vis gear remains essential for many job sites in 2026, especially in construction, civil, roading, and forestry. Safety regulations require workers to be visible in all light conditions, and with more machinery, more subcontractors, and tighter timelines on modern builds, visibility has never been more important.

Hi-vis clothing today is more advanced than the old-school bulky vests. Look for breathable fabrics, mesh panels, and lightweight designs that are comfortable and functional for your staff.

6. Office and Management Workwear

Not all staff are on the tools, but they still represent your brand. Modern trade businesses benefit from a cohesive, professional look across the entire team.

For project managers, office staff, sales teams, and directors, look to more smart workwear options such as softshell jackets, wool jerseys, polo shirts, cotton shirts, and puffer jackets.

7. Easy Customisation and Branding

You want your new workwear order to be as simple and seamless as possible so look for companies that provide custom branding, such as screen printing and embroidery. Your gear should strengthen your business identity. Look for:

• Embroidery or screen printing

• Logo placement options

• Colour consistency

• Small runs for growing teams

• Fast turnaround

Here are a few options of what a Bushbuck workwear uniform might look like for your team.

You can find all of these items here

Regular Tradie Workwear System

For a builder, roofer, or other tradie working in standard conditions, these are some solid options: 

• Baselayer: Combat Merino Tee or Apex Tee 

• Mid-Layer: Frontier Windproof Fleece or Gust Windproof Jersey 

• Waterproof Layer: Alpine Jacket 

• Pants: Venture 2.0

• Shorts: Glide Shorts 

• Warm Jacket: Furnace LT Waterproof Puffer Jacket

Heavy Duty Tradie Workwear System

For people working in a more testing environment where their gear takes a beating, consider more durable gear such as:

• Baselayer: Combat Merino Tee or Seeker Technical Polo

• Mid-Layer: Frontier Windproof Fleece

• Waterproof Layer: Defender Jacket 

• Pants: Defender Pants

• Shorts: Trek Shorts 

• Warm Jacket: Polar X Canvas Water-Resistant Puffer Jacket 

Office and Management Workwear System

For the staff who aren’t getting their hands too dirty, these are some more smart options:

• Baselayer: Seeker Technical Polo or Shepherd Lite Cotton Shirt

• Mid-Layer: Approach Softshell Jacket or Gust Windproof Jersey

• Warm Jacket: Polar X or Furnace Puffer Jacket 

Bushbuck Workwear: Built for the Toughest Conditions

Bushbuck gear is designed for people who work hard and expect their gear to do the same.

If you want to outfit your crew with workwear that’s safe, durable, weatherproof, and built for serious New Zealand conditions, learn more about Bushbuck’s corporate sales here.